What is the Apostles’ Creed?
The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest creed in common use among Christians and serves as one of the most concise summaries of central Christian belief. Although the apostles themselves did not write the creed, it is called the Apostles’ Creed because the content faithfully reflects the teachings handed down from apostolic preaching. The creed expresses the biblical revelation of the triune God, organizes its statements around the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and centers especially on the work of Christ. Its simplicity, clarity, and historical depth have made it one of the most widely accepted statements of Christian belief across centuries of church history. The creed grew gradually from early baptismal confession to the fuller form used today and continues to function as a teaching tool and a confession of faith for Christians around the world.
1. What a Creed Is and Why the Apostles’ Creed Matters
A creed is a concise declaration of Christian belief meant to summarize essential teachings of the Bible. The word comes from the Latin credo, meaning “I believe.” Creeds function as tools for:
teaching new Christians
guarding the church from false doctrine
expressing shared Christian belief
maintaining unity across different regions and traditions
The Apostles’ Creed remains foundational because it is:
simple and brief
centered on the triune God
focused on essential Christian doctrines
written in clear, accessible language
historically rooted in the faith of the early church
Although the creed itself is not Scripture, it summarizes Scripture. Its authority lies in how faithfully it reflects the biblical message first preached by the apostles.
2. How the Apostles’ Creed Developed in Church History
The Apostles’ Creed did not appear all at once. Its development occurred over several centuries as Christians articulated what they believed and defended the faith against alternate teachings. According to the historical record:
The earliest form of the creed emerged between 150 and 175 CE in Rome.
It likely arose in response to Marcionite Gnosticism, which denied parts of Scripture and rejected key Christian teachings.
This earliest version functioned as an explanation of the baptismal formula (“in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”).
Western churches received this Roman form and treated it as having apostolic authority because it accurately summarized apostolic teaching.
Early church fathers such as Irenaeus believed that the “rule of faith” they received had been handed down from “the Apostles and their disciples.” This explains why the creed carries an apostolic title even though the apostles did not compose it.
The fuller, more familiar form of the creed appeared later:
Important additions occurred in the sixth and seventh centuries, including
“he descended into hades”
“catholic” after ecclesiam (meaning “universal”)
“the communion of saints”
“the life everlasting”
The creed reached its near-final form around 700 CE.
Many of its statements resemble earlier creeds, such as the third-century Creed of Marcellus.
By the early medieval period, the Apostles’ Creed had become firmly established in Western liturgy and catechesis.
3. What the Apostles’ Creed Teaches About the Christian Faith
The Apostles’ Creed is brief but comprehensive. It summarizes the entire Christian story in three movements:
1. God the Father
Creator of heaven and earth
Sovereign over all things
Source of life and purpose
2. Jesus Christ the Son
conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the virgin Mary
suffered under Pontius Pilate
crucified, dead, and buried
descended to the dead
rose again on the third day
ascended to heaven
seated at the right hand of the Father
coming to judge the living and the dead
3. The Holy Spirit and the Church
belief in the Holy Spirit
the holy catholic (universal) church
the communion of saints
the forgiveness of sins
the resurrection of the body
the life everlasting
These statements form a summary of the biblical narrative: creation, incarnation, redemption, resurrection, judgment, and new creation. Because the creed focuses on the foundational truths of Christian belief, it serves as both a teaching tool and a confessional statement for worship.
4. How the Apostles’ Creed Was Received by Reformers and Modern Christians
During the Reformation, the Apostles’ Creed continued to hold a central place in Christian teaching. Reformers such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli affirmed its theological accuracy and used it in their catechisms. They viewed the creed as a trustworthy summary of biblical teaching that preserved unity amid doctrinal disputes.
In the 20th century, the creed’s influence expanded even further. Major ecumenical gatherings recognized its importance:
The 1920 Lambeth Conference described it as a unifying confession.
The 1927 World Conference on Faith and Order affirmed its authority as an expression of Christian belief.
Because different Christian traditions accept the Apostles’ Creed, it functions as a shared confession across denominational lines. It does not solve every theological debate, but it outlines the non-negotiable truths upon which Christians agree.
5. Why Some Phrases of the Apostles’ Creed Require Explanation
While the Apostles’ Creed remains clear and accessible, some of its phrases carry historical meanings that modern Christians may misunderstand. These include:
“He descended into hell”
Historically means “he descended to the dead” (hades), not that Jesus suffered in flames.
Expresses that Jesus truly died and entered the realm of the dead before rising again.
“The holy catholic church”
“Catholic” means “universal,” not Roman Catholic.
Refers to all Christians united in Christ across time and place.
“The communion of saints”
Refers to the fellowship of all Christians, living and dead, as one body in Christ.
These clarifications do not change the creed’s meaning; they simply help modern readers understand its historic vocabulary.
Conclusion
The Apostles’ Creed is a historic and authoritative summary of Christian belief. Though the apostles did not write it, the creed faithfully represents the teachings they proclaimed. It grew out of early baptismal confession, developed over several centuries, and stands today as the oldest creed still used widely in Christian worship. Its structure reflects the revelation of the triune God. Its clarity makes it ideal for teaching. Its unity makes it a shared confession among Christians across traditions. The Apostles’ Creed not only preserves the core of Christian belief but connects modern Christians with the faith of the early church.
Bible Verses Related to the Apostles’ Creed
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things were made through him.”
Luke 1:35 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you… therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”
Acts 2:32–33 “This Jesus God raised up… being therefore exalted at the right hand of God.”
Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Ephesians 4:4–6 “There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.”
Hebrews 12:23 “To the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven… and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.”
Revelation 20:14 “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 21:1–4 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
